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Of Blache, the O line and Injuries

Jasno checks in with a file -- he's going to love the new system!

Defensive coordinator Greg Blache praised the work of several rookies in Sunday's preseason debut, but was also quick to point out their many flaws. Blache saw flashes of what he wanted to see from safety Chris Horton, end Rob Jackson and corner Matteral Richardson, though plenty of mistakes showed on the game film.

"Rookies are fine and dandy, and I'm glad to see them progressing," said Blache, a notoriously blunt coach. "But I don't fall in love with rookies. You're better to fall in love with a stripper than a rookie, because they'll break your heart. They really will. We will give them some time and let them prove themselves if they are worthy of it."

(For the record, Blache disavows any personal knowledge of falling for those who remove their clothing for a living. However, he has friends and associates who have come back from clubs saying, "She loves me." As Blache said: "I've heard tales." Again, he is not speaking from personal experience. Okay, back to the regularly scheduled blog)

Jackson, a seventh-round pick, is quick and had a sack Sunday, but was also offsides and caught out of position on other plays. "I'm not totally impressed right now," Blache said. "He has to learn to play the game."

Blache did shower a few more platitudes on Richardson, an un-drafted free agent, and Horton, a seventh-round pick. Both players are very raw, but Richardson showed smart instincts and made an alert play to jump a route for an interception he returned for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Horton used his size and speed on two sacks, and recovered an onside kick.

"Playing time is like a rope," Blache said. "Some guys use it to pull themselves up on the team, and some guys get tangled up in it and hang themselves. Those two guys [Horton and Richardson] used it to help pull themselves up. They're taking advantage of the snaps they're getting and if they continue to improve they've got a good chance of being a Redskin."

Overall, Blache chafed at the missed tackles, third-down blunders and general lack of execution by the defense in the win over the Colts, equating his defense's play to "three-day old fish."

"Their backups just played a little but worse than our back-ups," Blache said. However, given how many youngsters are on his defense, Blache opted to tone down his tirades the last few days. "There's some young minds in there that you don't want to ruin and scar for life. So I was not as candid as I could have been, recognizing the sensitivity and the age of the audience."

Okay, that's it for Blache (man, I missed talkng to that dude for the three years or so he cut off the schlubs. Without a doubt, he is the best quote in the building). Now, here's the rest of the stuff:

O Line Musical Chairs

With back-up tackles Todd Wade and Stephon Heyer out for at least two weeks with injuries, the Redskins put together a make-shift second-string line yesterday. The group has very little experience playing together, but must establish some sense of cohesion ahead of Saturday's game against Buffalo, having to protect back-up quarterback Todd Collins for the better part of a half.

The Redskins had just one player with true NFL experience on the second-team line - right guard Jason Fabini. Rookie Chad Rinehart is playing left tackle, first-year Tavares Washington is at left guard, second-year Justin Geisinger is at center and un-drafted rookie Devin Clark is at right tackle. Rinehart, Washington, Geisinger and Clark do not have a game of regular-season experience.

"It showed today, because our defense really took it to those guys [on the second-string line]," Jim Zorn said. "... Those guys have the whole week to work together and they will be better as they get more reps."

Zorn said he will do his part to protect Collins - which likely means a heavy dose of the running game and passes largely limited to quick routes and short drops - from getting sacked. Collins was hit hard a couple of times in the preseason opener last weekend.

Who Is In for Saturday's Game and Who Is Out

In general, Zorn said the starters will play very sparingly Saturday, though some who sat out Sunday, like linebacker London Fletcher and end Jason Taylor, could play a few snaps. Taylor is taking full work with the defense now after using the first two weeks of camp to learn the defense and improve his condition after being traded to Washington on the first day of camp last month.

"He's learned the system and had a few days off and got his legs back under him," Blache said. "He's bounced around and zipped around the last two days much better than he had all along. I teased him about it and he admitted himself the first part is getting yourself back in playing condition, then get the legs rested and ready to get back to doing what you've been doing."

Safety LaRon Landry is not participating in the full practices while recovering from a hamstring injury, and seems likely to sit out again Saturday. Running back Clinton Portis is not scheduled to play Saturday, Zorn said, but will see action in a few preseason games. Starting defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin missed practice with back spasms and will likely sit out as well, Zorn said.

The Best of the Rest

Horton missed practice because of a stomach bug, and is on antibiotics, but will play Saturday, Zorn said ... Blache made a point of saying that incumbent defensive tackle Anthony Montgomery has by no means secured his starting spot for this season. Montgomery, who returned this week from a broken hand, unseated Kedric Golston as a starter in 2007, but Golston is closing on him. Golston and Montgomery were both late-round picks in 2006. "That position is wide, wide open," Blache said, "and with the hand injury or without the hand injury, Golston is right there." ... Shawn Springs sat out the afternoon practice with a strained right Achilles' but is expected to be fine. ... J.T. Tryon, who has a sore toe on his left foot, returned for the afternoon session.

I was VERY unimpressed with Devin Thomas's whiney "it's hard for us 200 pounders" to pass the Shuttle test, and "I was in shape anyway, it's not fair, boohoo." Funny, Geezers like Thrash and Randle El and Moss etc, managed.

Meanwhile the Redskins OTHER high WR draftee. Kelly, is on the shelf for 2-3 weeks because he wasn't in shape, either.

Hey, what the HELL do you expect for your signing bonus and millions to play a childs game--conditioning?

Looks like the skins can still pick 'em when it comes to high round WR draftees. Need I remind that the last successful one JUST went into the HOF, and he was selected in 1980?

Frickin' ungrateful punk kids.

On the bright side, Zorn may be a master psychologist, He appears to have lit a fire under Mr. Davis.

Anyway, I think the conditioning thing has a lot to do with the rookies not realizing how hard the NFL will be. They probably got by fine in their college drills and figure "They're only drills, how hard could they be?" It's the same going from high school to college. And peewee to high school. They'll learn what's expected of them and go from there. Let's not hate 'em until they start dropping TD passes (assuming they make it into such situations).

You know what would be nice? If Jasno put his ego aside and let Jason Reid share the blog with him. And by "share" I mean allow his name and picture to go up on the blog just like the Wizards blog has Ivan Carter and Michael Lee.

barno, thanks for sharing your house. but why the hate for jason. carter and lee were there in the begining. jason r. just walked in the door. jason laca has established himself as the insider. he's put in a LOT of time and thus deserves the recognition. you may not agree with his opinions but he does report. more than the guy you hang out with...btw...i tried intergoogling "redskins blog" guess what? your house don't even show up...

You know what would be nice? If Jasno put his ego aside and let Jason Reid share the blog with him. And by "share" I mean allow his name and picture to go up on the blog just like the Wizards blog has Ivan Carter and Michael Lee.

Lol he has sources. What kind of self respecting journalist uses sources. Listen just go to redskins.com for all the information you need. Danny never lies or sugar coats the news. It's fine. Ha sources, does Bob Woodward use sources? Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

Instead those two weren't scared to use each oters names when talking 'ish. Larry Michael is the poster boy of a douche. He rather give JLC all of these cute nickmanes and throw innuendos, instead of acting like a man and call the man by his name.

Is Golston "catching up" to Monty, or is Monty dipping to Golston's level?

The Redskins offense played a bunch of youngsters and rookies, but they seemed fine to me. Often times, isn't it more difficult to install/learn an offense than to pick-up a defense? Let's hope the defensive woes were simply an aberration due to low talent, and not a result of the loss of Grilliams.

I'll call him out. The money uses words and sources for crying out loud!!! I mean he could just go ask Danny straight up all these questions then blindly follow what he says. That's what I do and its worked. Granted there are a few other things I do for Danny behind closed doors but I don't liek to talk about that.

1. Zorn coached with Mike Holmgren
2. Holmgren coached Brett Favre
3. Favre was in Something About Mary with Ben Stiller
4. Stiller was in Meet the Parents with Robert Deniro
5. Deniro was in Sleepers with Kevin Bacon

A question for Dan Snyder, is it hard to find people to surround yourself with that are less atractive than you are. Vinny looks like he has fish eyes, like so many cerial killers, and Larry, everthing looks off about that guy.

You know what would be nice? If Jasno put his ego aside and let Jason Reid share the blog with him. And by "share" I mean allow his name and picture to go up on the blog just like the Wizards blog has Ivan Carter and Michael Lee.

They are both beat reporters of the same team, are they not?

Posted by: OG Barno | August 6, 2008 4:46 PM

Uhh...they both post "up here"

Posted by: Skinz | August 6, 2008 4:50 PM

Exactly...you just proved my point. They both post "up here" so why does only one of them get to call this "his" blog?

dealer, I think Steinbog was one of a handful of dudes who turned down offers to do the Redskins "official blog" before the current guy got the gig. Steinbog being Steinbog, of course he blogged about it, a little bit.

His posts from Beijing have been good -- hell, all the WashPo stuff I've read from Beijing has been really good -- and for once I'm really interested in reading about the Olympics...

Dealer, Steinbog turned down Snyder flat on official skins blog job as did a number of local skins bloggers. That job is a total trap. That blog is gawd awful by the way, and after the first few days gets very few comments....the flies and vultures are buzzing.....

cL, some of us went over and hung out on the 'official' blog yesterday.

Sure, it's a relief to get back here, but the 'official' guy is posting some decent stuff. Tone- and content-wise it seems to be closer to Steinbog than to Redskins Insider. Like if Steinbog were just focused on one team/one sport.

The comments over there seem to attract a different sort of trollery than we usually see up here. I don't know what to make of it.

OG Barno, have you emailed anyone at the Post to express your concern over the name and picture that adorns the blog?

Seems like that might be a good way to suss out whether anyone (Jason Reid, for example) shares your concern about it.

Like you, I've occasionally wondered when the logo and attribution will change, especially with Reid and now Svrluga on the beat. I don't think it's as big a deal as you obviously do -- yet another reason to criticize the beat reporter -- but I would love to see, say, a cartoon where the beat reporters are a three-headed monster. That would crack me up. Yes, it sure would.

true cl. it's crap. and yes, i could feel the vultures while i was there. when i googled it there were a couple of good blogs i found...some guy name john something's blog. even that was better than off. blog.

Take doc Emmitt Brown's advice - don't respond to posts from your future self, it could cause a major paradox.

Either way it's good to be able to post again.

At work, I was getting pretty close to curing cancer - the tumors were shrinking at alarming rates - but now that RI posting's back up I can put all that behind me and really devote my time to something important.

The guy must have been crazy. Not only was the salary better than the Post pays, but there was a nice benefits package: (1) Johnny Rocket's Gift Cards; (2) Six Flags stock options; (3) steep discounts at the Redskins stores, including 80% off the $5 Archuleta jersey; and (4) Washington Post bonus points.

So happy it's my time of year. Really hoping the Skins can make it down to Tampa this season in Jan/Feb for the SuperBowl. I hope that ESPN gave Hank Williams Jr his papers like the Packers are doing Favre. That racket is tired! Go back to the old MNF music they used with Giffor, Cosell and co.

++++The Truth says that Corkzar or whatever must be a 60 year old ex-high school football star who never made it and is bitter.

The Truth says that neither Kelly or Thomas sounded like "punk kids" and that Cork needs to get a life.

Posted by: The Truth | August 6, 2008 5:27 PM++++

*CORK says The Truth is a loggorheaic hack desperately trying to draw attention to himself from his Mom's basement by posting waaaaaay too much, no mattr how silly it makes him look. And he tells ME to "get a life?"

*CORK says The Truth hasn't got a sense of humor, or he'd recognize "dang punk kids" for what it is, namely a riff similar to "get those damn kids off my lawn." You MORon.

God, i HATE the humorless.

Other than the stab at parody, all I'm saying about those two unappreciative bozos is the same thing Zorn said about them, only not as delicately. if Truthy-truth feels they are entitled to come to camp out of shape and/or follow in the footsteps of Westbrook, Gardner et al, take it up with Zorn, not me.

I think what gets me pi$$&d off is the fact that our first two draft picks pull up lame and then one tries to find an excuse, who's in charge of post draft conditioning? oh let me guess their agents!! I don't blame Zorn one iota for taking them to task they should know better I personally think drafting Kelly is going to turn out to be a mistake, Thomas may make it if he can stop whining but not being in shape is no excuse they are lacking in the committment phase of their pro careers already!!.

Guys, get off of Thomas and Kelly's back regarding the conditioning. Generally when someone has talent at one level, they tend to be surprised when they get to the next level. This is not the end of the world, they will get healthy.

And if Zorn is the leader we think he is, he will get them where they need to be.

Redskins 360
POSTED August 05 2008 3:43 PM BY Corey Masisak
Second-round pick Devin Thomas spoke after the special teams practice today about his hamstring injury and Jim Zorn’s revelation that he and fellow rookie WR Malcolm Kelly didn’t pass the conditioning test at the onset of training camp. Thomas thinks he will be back practicing at full speed by the end of this week with an eye toward making his preseason debut in the team’s third preseason game , Aug. 16 at the New York Jets.

……………

Q: COACH ZORN SAID HE THOUGHT YOU AND MALCOLM KELLY FOUND OUT YOU’LL NEED TO DO MORE CONDITIONING NEXT OFFSEASON — DO YOU AGREE?

THOMAS: “I’ll probably do some extra things so my legs are loose and ready to run when training camp starts right away. It was an eye opener, so I definitely will be even better prepared next year.”

Q: DO YOU THINK YOU DID ENOUGH THIS OFFSEASON?

THOMAS: “I feel like you can always do more, whether it is preparing for a test or coming in for training camp. I feel like I did a good job preparing. It was just a deal where I pulled my hamstring from not stretching enough while it was getting tight. I need to be more careful with that.”

Q: HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT COACH ZORN TELLING US THAT YOU AND MALCOLM KELLY FAILED THE CONDITIONING TEST AND THE PRECEPTION THAT YOU WEREN’T PREPARED FOR CAMP?

THOMAS: “I don’t think that is a fair thing to say. We came in prepared enough to do what we could do. We had a lot of other distractions going on as far as becoming a rookie. But as far as being in shape, we were in shape – it was just a tough deal that we both got hurt.”

Q: WERE YOU SURPRISED YOU FAILED THE TEST?

THOMAS: “I was surprised. It is a test with 300 yards and you are stopping and going, so it is a little difficult for guys that are 200-plus [pounds]. At the same time, we should have passed it. It is something we will look forward to doing next year, I guess.”

[EDITOR'S NOTE] There are 75 guys on the current roster who were here when camp started and 67 weigh at least 200 pounds. Kelly and Thomas were the only two who did not pass the test. The only other guy who didn’t pass it was 185-pound CB Fred Smoot.

Q: DID YOU THINK YOU WERE PREPARED?

THOMAS: “Definitely – we went through the OTAs and all that stuff. We were in shape; we just couldn’t through the 300-[yard] shuttle. We’re recovering now, and we’ll be ready.”

“It was just a tough deal to do. We didn’t have a lot of time to prepare for it. It was thrown at us pretty fast. … No excuses though – we should have passed it and we continue to try and get in shape each and every day.”

Q: ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO MAKE AN IMPACT RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE OF THE TIME YOU ARE MISSING WITH THE INJURY?

THOMAS: “As far as making an impact from the get go, I don’t think that is going to be a difficult thing to do. I am just so eager to get out there. That’s the hardest part. You see the team out playing last weekend, and it is hard sitting there at home watching the guys knowing that we’ve all been through the same thing together.”

4th, on that editorial note, the speed requirements vary per position. WRs presumably have to be faster than other positions, e.g., lineman, which also probably is the position with most of those 67 guys who weigh 67 pounds or more. Not making excuses for these two ... I think it was a good move for the NFL in general to call out high round picks for hubris. A vet like Springs pounds himself (admittedly w/o the team and in the desert), but comes back ready to go. The bit about first day picks coming to camp with ANY question about whether they are ATHLETES first is something some of these guys should be ashamed about, esp. given the overvalued, unproved, contracts they get awarded.

I also like the Blache quote about rope -- either pull yourself up or get tangled up and hang yourself. I'm going to be using that (probably without attribution ... thanks and sorry in advance, coach).

Jim Zorn was in White Rod: A Hero for the 21st Century (2004) with Jim Cox.
Jim Cox was in Ringo Rama (2003) with Ringo Starr.
Ringo Starr was in The Return of Bruno (1988) with Phil Collins.
Phil Collins was in Balto (1995) with Kevin Bacon.

(Note to self: find "White Rod: A Hero for the 21st Century" and buy it.)

I remember when he came into the league he got one (uno) BP rep of 225. And that was generous. DG would give you 10 and he was about 1,000,000 years older than Smootie.

I think the Editor's Note might be a little unfair: the standard is different by position, and the other Skins receivers weigh over 200# only if they're carrying their wallets.

Tests are only indicators. There's that guy Matt Jones in J-ville who's quicker than a 15 y/o virgin getting their first piece, tall, good hands, who can't seem to get open. Then there was Tiki Barber: not fast, not big, but even though everybody in FedEx (except maybe GG) knew he was going to get the ball, he still got a ton of yards.

I think it takes a while for migration to be entirely complete, I believe. All I know is that in the new fabulously wonderful version of Loseable Type, the full 214,493 comments are visble and random words at the end of a line are still repeated. It's like going home.

Every day I believe more and more that the FO did the right thing by hiring Zorn as the HC for the Skins. (Maybe he should have been given a chance at OC a few years ago.) I have read nothing but positive things about him and like his straight forward approach to his players and the media.

+++Guys, get off of Thomas and Kelly's back regarding the conditioning. Generally when someone has talent at one level, they tend to be surprised when they get to the next level. This is not the end of the world, they will get healthy.++++

Disagree. The oline is thirty something, the CBs aren't getting any younger and the OLBs are fragile. The 'skins went out and paid a lot for a DE, Taylor, who has a two year window. Snyder likes shiney new objects. So Zorns' window may be limited.

So I'll stay on their backs, becasue teh skins could sue them now.

You can be surprised at what you have to learn at the next level and not be able to prepare to learn it. You can be surprised at the speed of the game and not be able to prepare for it.

BUT there is NO excuse not to show up in Tip Top shape instead of just "Get By" shape, which both guys did, according to the guy who decides how much PT they get.

As a result, Thomas lost two-three weeks with a pulled Hamstring. As Santana Moss has shown us, those things can torpedo an entire SEASON and even become chronic. If Moss or ARE pull there, will Thomas be ready to step in?

Kelly too has lost three weeks and may end up losing the year.

When you add in the redskins lousy history of picking WRs, you can see why a fan might be frustrated at this turn of events.

+++Guys, get off of Thomas and Kelly's back regarding the conditioning. Generally when someone has talent at one level, they tend to be surprised when they get to the next level. This is not the end of the world, they will get healthy.++++

Disagree. The oline is thirty something, the CBs aren't getting any younger and the OLBs are fragile. The 'skins went out and paid a lot for a DE, Taylor, who has a two year window. Snyder likes shiney new objects. So Zorns' window may be limited.

So I'll stay on their backs, becasue teh skins could sue them now.

You can be surprised at what you have to learn at the next level and not be able to prepare to learn it. You can be surprised at the speed of the game and not be able to prepare for it.

BUT there is NO excuse not to show up in Tip Top shape instead of just "Get By" shape, which both guys did, according to the guy who decides how much PT they get.

As a result, Thomas lost two-three weeks with a pulled Hamstring. As Santana Moss has shown us, those things can torpedo an entire SEASON and even become chronic. If Moss or ARE pull there, will Thomas be ready to step in?

Kelly too has lost three weeks and may end up losing the year.

When you add in the redskins lousy history of picking WRs, you can see why a fan might be frustrated at this turn of events.

Lets talk frankly, we didn't have to trade down to choose these two goofballs we could have drafted sorely needed depth on the offensive and defensive lines, depth we might need as the season evolves I'm not saying we don't need height in the red zone or more speed at the wideout but.... to have these two slackers hurt already,and Thomas with those bulls##t answers to the reporters i mean please!!!!

I think it might be a bit much to only blame Thomas and Kelly. You'd have to expect that there is a difference between College 'in shape' and NFL 'in shape. Maybe the Coaches didn't do a good enough job of explaining what shape they needed to be in when Training Camp started. Maybe the fact that we have the extra pre-season game, meant that coaches weren't able to wean the rookies into a professional training program in the same way they normally might.

Fred Davis took a ton of heat here on RI about missing time because he has overslept. Since then he not only has been on time, but is getting some high praise for his efforts.

I feel that this will also be the case with Thomas and Kelly regarding their conditioning and training. Unless these guys are low character (and Kelly has a question mark here due to his complaining about his 40 time) guys, I think that the injuries they suffered and the heat they got from the coach will push them to be more serious about their training.

This is where I was coming from when I wrote the get off of their back comment. Again, how many of us did not mess up when we were youngsters??

I have all the confidence in Zorn to fix their attitudes and get them where they need to be.

Note to kost52: With all due respect I ain't buyin the whole "In Shape" logic when a rookie comes into the NFL and is asked what is the biggest adjustment they have to make, the answer ninety five percent of the time is "the speed of the game" so if you use common sense that translate's into being in game shape condition, nfl game shape condition, end of story!!.

dargregmag@aol.com, I get what you're saying, but how do they know what NFL game shape condition is, if they haven't played in the NFL? These two guys sound like they've made the effort to get in shape, but obviously haven't done enough, and now know what they have to do in the future. Wouldn't that mean someone in the coaching staff needs to do a better job of making sure they knew what was required of them.

Reminds me of a story I heard, just before the release of Casino Royale this guy was invited to a James Bond themed party at a swish hotel, and being a massive Bond fan he was so excited. When he turned up all the women were in fancy evening gowns, and all the guys were wearing a tux. Unfortunately, he was dressed as a frogman. You can tell people the details, but sometimes you need to be very specific.

We will not know whether Thomas or Kelly were good picks for two or three years. Everyone who thinks they know now is mistaken.

There is no "Redskins history of picking wide receivers." The picks were not made by "the Redskins" but by different people at different times. Schottenheimer picked Rod Gardner. (Snyder wanted him to pick Santana Moss, who went to the Jets with the next pick and who the Skins later traded for.) Spurrier picked Taylor Jacobs. Gibbs went for vets -- Lloyd, ARE. Now Cerrato has two picks -- Kelly and Thomas. Wait a while and we'll see how he does.

Corkczar, you could not be more right! Typical Snyderskins crap! The Skins will never be good as long as he is owner. The things they do make no sense whatsoever. The secondary, linebackers, and offensive line and the D line to some extent are all as thin as can be as usual. But, we got plenty of "bodies" now at WR, but not much else. Good god!

So I check out the new and improved blog and see that we still have to enter our names and Corkczar is still complaining about the 2nd round picks.

The more things change...

But seriously, there is a rumor that the upgrades are not complete and registration is immenent. Corkczar, can we get a commitment from you to stop beating the "Redskins screwed up the draft horse" too?

As for the young WRs, rookies make mistakes. Can't expect too much from rookies, they are investments and most take a couple seasons to pay off. if you want quick solutions, you trade or go free agents.

There are a lot of solid veterans on the team that Kelly and Thomas can learn from and by next season they will be super smart. Or gone.

Meanwhile, being off for a day, makes me wonder what is happening with Alex and the GF. I fear for him.

I'm trying to picture you at work. I thought you had kind of a decorative position. Not really work. Not even walking in place on a treadmill like many of us. Just hanging out in the sun, being yourself, quietly perspiring water, sprouting chia all over your body, slowly but surely. The pay's not much, but the job's not taxing, either.

I still don't know the difference between a free safety and a strong safety, what a bump and run is, or the difference between a nickel and a dime, and why do they call it a "prevent defense" when all it does is prevent you from winning?

Get a grip. Mix, Kelly, and Thomas out with hamstring injuries - you'd be complaining if 'we [didn't] g(e)t plenty of "bodies" now at WR'. Suppose you didn't hire two new guys at WR - then you're super-thin there - much more so than the other positions you listed; except LB. "The secondary, linebackers, and offensive line and the D line to some extent are all as thin as can be as usual;"

Injuries are always going to determine where your lack of depth is but if we look at say personnel with NFL starting experience before camp started on this team we would see what the front office sees as depth.

Secondary: Personnel on the team with actual NFL starting experience prior to camp; Springs (130), Smoot (87), Rogers (27), Torrence (1), Landry (16), Doughty (6), Fox (11), and Schwiegert (42) [gone]. 8 guys who have started NFL games and you throw in drafting 3 DBs who all have a shot at making the team (Tryon, Horton, and Moore), Westbrook from the practice squad and Richardson. Now if you don't like the personnel take it up with the coaches but this secondary has depth. Even Doughty who gets reamed here because he is the weakest link of the entire starting defense would start for a dozen other teams in the NFL.

Linebackers: this is where I agree with you and have been begging the team to pick up Godfrey - that could still happen just like last year during the season. The reason the defense stunk like three day old fish Sunday was because of who was playing linebacker (Sinclair and Campbell and then the other scrubs.) The likely LBs are Washington, Fletcher, and MacIntosh, with Blades being the primary back-up and Sinclair and Campbell being the special teams guys.

Offensive Line: they are all over 30 except for Heyer but that is prime for big beefy guys. Guys with starting experience (Samuels (125), Kendall (172), Rabach (60), Thomas (125), Jansen (112), Fabinini (129), Wade (96), and Heyer (5). That’s a lot of experience. Rienhart was drafted and will make the team and Alexander can play guard in a pinch. Who knows if some of the young bodies in camp show up in the next few games?

Defensive Line: Daniels (151) [IR] replaced by using a 2009 2nd round pick and 2010 6th rounder on Jason Taylor (169), Griffin (102), Montgomery (16), Golston (13), Carter (98), Evans (12), James (12), Boshcetti (2), and Alexander (1) with starting experience. Add Wilson and his four sacks from last year and this year’s rookie Jackson as speed rushers and you’ve got too many guys to make the team (11 including the injured James).

So bottom-line is you look at your guys with experience and quality and then you assess injuries. Injuries can always be freaky and come in bunches to a unit but just like last year – the ‘skins are actually prepared for it.

here is no "Redskins history of picking wide receivers." The picks were not made by "the Redskins" but by different people at different times...

Posted by: Motivator | August 6, 2008 8:56 PM

Actually there is a history. The most recent era goes back 28 years, and SO FAR includes exactly ONE decent one. Sure, different people picked, but they all picked for the Redskins, ergo a "Redskin History."

It ain't rocket science, more like voodoo economics, but some teams are "just better" over the years at picking certain positions. Bears and Steelers, for instance, have a knack for dominant LBs. Dallas picks RBs and DL with the best of them.

And sports is a superstitious bidness, so while I agree we wont' have an answer on the three receivers picked in the second round for a couple of years, all three messed up,

From what I see and hear about Zorn, I couldn't be more pleased with our new head coach. I actually feel better about him being here then Gibbs which at the end of last season I didn't see as a possibility. He seems to be much more in the mold of Gibbs 1.0 in so far as an attacking offensive mindset and dealing with the players. The FO seems to have stumbled upon a good one. As for first year Redskin coachs 8-8 is the high bar - I say he breaks it.

TO say that they stumbled upon a good head coach might of actually happened but remember when everyone was bashing them for hte process that they went through to hire Zorn. Ithink from the very beginning that they made the right decision and hopefully this will work for the skins and all of the fans. To say that they stumbled upon him might be a bit of a stretch but the did use and unorthodox way of hiring him and hopefully he will be the savior for the skins.

Thomas' and Kelly's condition is a disappointment, but not a deal-breaker just yet.
I imagine they left school in January -- to prep for the combine -- and that extra month-and-a-half of hard work is a lot longer and harder than they would have ever done before. It's human nature to slack off a bit after that, and without a contract, they couldn't come in and train in Ashburn.
If I were 20, with a bunch of free time, easy access to cash, and no one around to push me, the results would not be pretty.
Then, you start training camp, and uh-oh, it's too late.
There was an NFL film vignette last year that sticks in my mind. It's Vince Young talking to Reggie Bush on the field before a game -- either preseason or early in their rookie year -- and they both say "wow, everything is so fast" in that sort of incredulous way... and when you think of those two, you've got to think that that had never happened to them before, since they were 9 or 10. They were the best player on their team, unstoppable, faster, stronger, better in every way.
And then a new reality hits, and you're not elite, and you make mistakes, and you can't rely on just physical talent to carry you any more. And that is the difference between a Tom Brady and a Rob Johnson.

now its all over tv in break news cut ins...but they are reported that Brett has nit agreed to this only the Jets and Packers and Brett may not show up in NY if he does not want to play there and he could again be traded by the Jets to someone else.

"Here’s a better question: Given his obvious Hall of Fame talent and his negative mindset, how stupid do you have to be to have created a situation where the most significant player in your franchise’s history would feel so betrayed?

I'm calling him out for his response to not passing the test. And your argument about other guys passing over 200 lbs dosen't make sense. Everyone passed the test but Smoot, Kelly, and Thomas. And Thomas is making excuses for himself. Thomas is supposed to be a speedster and he's a wide receiver. More comparable to a track athelete......

Lost in all this great quoting is the fact that Sean Swssshhhssshhhm is not good at kicking the football through the uprights. I get that 'ohmygodpleaseno' fear every time he lines one up. The 39 yard misses (like Sunday) are just brutal. Where is the competition for this guy?

As for the D, i'm terrified that my dog L2 will have this hamstring thing linger for too long then hurt something else trying to compensate. What the hell is going on at the park with this truckload of hammy issues? The Yankees had this same thing happen early in the season a couple years back and they fired their strength and conditioning people. Just saying...

I agree...Redskins need a new kicker and they need one NOW! I can see the kicker being the guy who loses a playoff game for us or god forbid a dallas game...GET A NEW KICKER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Some of you act like all 20 year olds say and do the right things. So our two young WR made some mistakes in conditioning and statements they made (Thomas now, Kelly earlier this year). All of us have made mistakes and said the wrong thing when we were young. Let's give Zorn the benefit of the doubt that he will get them where they need to be.

As someone posted earlier, it's too early to start crying that the sky is falling.

Now if the two WRs do not show something positive from here forward, then I will join the naysayers. Until then I will give them a pass.

The NFL Network is also reporting that the Packers took great pains to ensure that Favre would not be traded to the Vikings by inserting a "poison pill" in the deal. If Favre were to be traded to Minnesota, the Jets would have to surrender three first-round picks to Green Bay.

-espn.com

---------

The dreaded poison pill...

Would have been nice to see LeFavre in purple, I think. Seems more like a Viking than a Jet to me.

Pennington just pissed all over himself, that's four shore.

Interestingly, the compensation increases incrementally with the % of snaps LeFavre takes: 80 % taken nets the Packers a first rounder.

Damn, it feels good to be back. Yesterday was rough. Here's a couple thoughts:

"You're better to fall in love with a stripper than a rookie, because they'll break your heart. They really will. "

Greatest coach quote since Mora's "PLAYOFFS?!" rant. High comedy.

-What's with all the Suisham hate? Because he missed a kick in the preseason? Dude went 29/35 last year with a long of 50. He's 41/50 for his career. I'll admit he's anything but automatic inside of 40 yards (which should be easy for a top notch NFL kicker) and he's missed some critical kicks the last couple seasons, but he's still young. Just like living with a young QB's mistakes, you have to go through some growing pains with young kickers too. In his first full season as kicker, Suisham hit 82% of his kicks. That's better than Adam Vinatieri's 77% as a rookie. That helps me sleep better at night.

-Thank the sweet baby Jesus that Brett Favre has FINALLY been traded. Maybe now ESPN will actually cover the NFL and not "As the World Turns Around Favre". I predict that karma kicks both Favre and the Packers in the nuts in true "My Name Is Earl" fashion by Favre blowing out his knee in preseason and the Packers get only a mid-round draft pick for their trouble. F them both.

Mull It, I think if they could get anything for him they should do it. However, I'm not sure the cap would allow it this year because his full signing bonus ($3 million) would accelerate into this year's cap. But I think they could clear that space relatively easily (especially since an older guy or two could be cut Aug 26) if they want to get rid of him and sign another vet with WCO experience (see Frerotte, Gus).

How is Jason Taylor doing? How did the offense look this morning? How was Danny Smith's son helping at practice? All that and more is right here as John Keim updates on today's activity at Camp.

...Greg Blache has a way with words. Here’s what he says about rookies:

"Rookies are fine and dandy. I’m glad to see them progressing, but I don’t fall in love with rookies. You’re better off falling in love with a stripper than a rookie because he’ll break your heart. We’ll get it some time and let them prove themselves worthy of it."

...Safety Chris Horton continues to impress, though the coaches say he had an uneven game, which I would agree with (I’m sure that makes them happy). Horton, though, showed enough to warrant more looks, which he will receive.

...Defensive end Rob Jackson made one big play, getting a sack. But Blache was not overly thrilled with the rest of his game. He lost contain on one touchdown run, had an offsides penalty and really did not do much of anything other than the one sack.

...Blache hates talking about sacks because he thinks reporters, and fans, focus way too much on them. He also thinks they can make a guy look like he had a good game when he might not have, based on the other 40 plays. He’d much rather focus on pressures.

...Kedric Golston continues to work with the first team defensive line ahead of Anthony Montgomery, who returned this week after missing a week with a broken hand. This job is very wide open.

...Marcus Washington continues to fly around making plays in practice, bumping chests with teammates after some plays. Said it before, but it’s worth repeating: he’s back to his old self.

...The O-linemen and D-linemen worked two-on-two today, with a focus on running, and blocking, stunts.

...The offense did not look very sharp in the morning practice. QB Jason Campbell threw way too often to the incorrect shoulder. But he did throw a very nice fade to Antwaan Randle El, putting it where only he could catch the ball.

...Fred Smoot dropped an interception, again, in practice which prompted Shawn Springs – who did not participate much today because of a strained Achilles – to laugh at him from across the field.

...Wrote a story that will appear in the DC Examiner tomorrow about how players love Jim Zorn’s honesty. They’re gushing about him, even in private. The more time I spend around Zorn, the more I think the Redskins got it right. Anyway, here’s the link to my Cheers & Jeers page, which often features Redskins material: http://www.examiner.com/blogs-316-caj

...DE Jason Taylor returned to full workouts after a couple days of lesser activity (to give his legs a break).

...As Danny Smith watched the holders work, his son fed balls into a machine to simulate a snap. At one point his son said, "Can we get wings tonight?" To which his dad replied, with a smile, "I’m trying to hold onto my [job] and make a living and you’re worrying about wings." To which his son said, "That living pays for my wings."

Had a dream last night that I was in Danny's limo and he had a TV in there with rabbit ears. Vinny was driving. We went to some office in Tysons Corner and my friends called. It was friday night. They asked what I was doing for the night and I told them that I was hanging with Danny and they said "Oh nevermind we'll catch up with you tomorrow"

"...Blache hates talking about sacks because he thinks reporters, and fans, focus way too much on them. He also thinks they can make a guy look like he had a good game when he might not have, based on the other 40 plays."
============================================

I wonder if this is why LaVar Arrington didn't make it with the Redskins? If you're talking concussions, he's your guy. But on the other 40 plays....

The Truth says that The Truth saw the interview with Devin Thomas about what Coach Zorn said and The Truth wonders if The Truth is the only one that saw Devin Thomas saying "No excuses" and "We should have been better"? The Truth doesn't think that makes Thomas look bad in the least. Maybe The Truth is missing something, but The Truth sees it as two rookies having slight problems adjusting to the conditioning of the NFL, which Coach Zorn said is common for rookies, especially in that position.

The Truth also says that a big deal was never made about Smoot not passing the test until Zorn came in and pointed it out. The Truth says Smoot hasn't even attempted to pass the test in the past, and Smoot is in fine shape once the season starts regardless.

The Truth is not saying this conditioning test isn't important, but The Truth says it is more a thing of learning how to finish the actual drill than being in shape, at least in The Truth's perception.

The Truth says in 2 or 3 years everyone will completely forget about this issue, and The Truth still doesn't see what kind of "character issue" it is when Devin Thomas says he was a little surprised by how tough it was and that he had to work harder next year. The Truth says to stop being so negative.

"...Blache hates talking about sacks because he thinks reporters, and fans, focus way too much on them. He also thinks they can make a guy look like he had a good game when he might not have, based on the other 40 plays. He’d much rather focus on pressures."

Find, and provide where it has been stated that Kelly may be lost for the year, other wise, you're a LIAR, and you just HOPE that he's lost for the year, so that you can pound your chest, and tell EVERYONE how RIGHT you were.